The Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS

The Russian BM-30 Smerch MLRS is probably the most gnarlyist self-propelled MLRS to date. Its intimidating traversable launcher is made up of 12, 300mm tubes, which are capable of firing rockets armed with a multitude of different lethal warheads to a range of 90km.

It’s 8×8 wheeled chassis gives it a high level of off-road mobility and combined with its quick turn around time from deployment, firing and back on the road, it proves a tricky customer to be hit by counter battery fire.

Developed behind the Iron Curtain in Russia during the hype of the Cold War, the West first got sight of it around 1983 and designated it MRL 280mm M1983. However it wasn’t until 1989 that it entered service with the Russian Army and sales to foreign operators has spanned over 20 years.